The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, has called for broader collective efforts in the fight against global warming, adding that government has already taken some integral steps in that regard.
Delivering the keynote address at the 43rd Management Week Celebration of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, the Minister said climate change was posing a fundamental threat to human existence and development.
“The climate crisis remains one of the most fundamental threats to our development, our survival, and the sustenance of planet Earth. Indeed, with less than seven years to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change has been identified as the most significant impediment to the realisation of these goals, trapping millions of people into poverty,” he noted.
Mr Jinapor highlighted Africa’s position as the most susceptible to the impact of climate change, requiring an all-hands-on-deck approach to dealing with this phenomenon.
“The impact of this looming disaster is already being felt across the globe in extreme weather conditions that produce hurricanes, cyclones, sea-level rise, flooding, drought, and irregular rainfall patterns, among others. Unfortunately, here in Africa, due to the agrarian nature of our economy and our known adaptation capacities, we are more susceptible to these impacts.
“Thus, even though we contribute the least to this climate crisis, estimated at 4%, we bear the brunt of these adverse consequences”, he added
While emphasizing the impact of climate change, he reiterated the need for people of all backgrounds to join the climate fight.
“This will derail all the gains we are making towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. That is why we cannot look on while this crisis continues; we must shoulder our responsibilities towards keeping our planet cooler.
“Our response to climate change must be urgent, inclusive, and comprehensive, in a way that strengthens the resilience of our ecosystems, and it must involve both individual and collective action from the youth, civil society organizations, political and traditional leaders, rural communities, public and private sectors, as well as academia. We all have a role to play”, the Minister said.
The Minister commended the university’s management for focusing on climate change while highlighting some policies being pursued by the government of Nana Akufo-Addo to protect Ghana’s environment and fight global warming.
On his part, the Dean of the UGBS, Professor Justice N. Bawole, lauded the Lands Minister’s efforts in combating climate change, noting that the theme for the event, “Accounting for Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability: Our Collective Responsibility,” puts the school in a position to lead a new course of action against climate change.
“We have followed your zeal for environmental sustainability since you assumed office as Minister,” he noted.
Giving an update on the state of affairs at the school, Prof. Bawole reported on some milestones chalked by the school, including the signing of a contract for the construction of a computer laboratory for the school, as well as the recent induction of an 18-year-old former student of UGBS as a chartered accountant.
He, however, appealed to the government to come to the aid of the school with more support to enhance teaching and learning and also help produce quality graduates.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Ghana, Professor Gordon A. Awandre, who was the Chairperson of the event, expressed satisfaction about the various collaborations between the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the university over the years.
He stated that the event will serve as another platform for generating ideas that will go a long way to help in the climate fight.
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